Grants in North America

LADDER

LADDER is a Leadership Development Project for Young Russian-American Jews intended to identify potential leaders from the young adult Russian-speaking community of New York and introduce them to prominent elected officials as well as community and business leaders. Participants are thereby empowered to achieve a lifetime of leadership, service and advocacy on behalf of the Russian-speaking Jewish community and society at large.

In June 2011, Genesis Philanthropy Group supported an enhancement to LADDER – a day of Jewish learning that included a lecture by noted Russian-American scholar, Professor Olga Litvak, a docent-led tour of the National Museum of American Jewish History, and a graduation ceremony for the participants that served as a culmination of the LADDER program.

Professor Litvak's lecture focused on the history of philanthropic and civic leadership within the Russian-American Jewish community and the importance of developing future leaders. The Philadelphia trip did just this, linking past, present and future for the young participants, and enabling them to explore their own pathways to Jewish leadership.

Financial support for this program was provided by Genesis Philanthropy Group along with HIAS, UJA Federation of New York, and Kings Bay YM/YWHA.

Goals and Objectives

Develop a cadre of educated and inspired future leaders and activists from the Russian-speaking Jewish community.

Give participants a greater understanding of the historical context of the North American Jewish community and contributions of Russian-speaking Jews to the Jewish community as a whole.

Enable participants to evaluate their interests and abilities for the purpose of engaging different Jewish institutions and governmental agencies.